Bubble rocket apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a bubble rocket apparatus comprising a rocket body, a launch device, a bubble rings assembly coupled to said rocket body, and a base, wherein bubble solution used for said bubble rings assembly is contained in said base, and said launch device is adapted for launching said rocket body. After said launch device launches said rocket body, bubble film formed on the bubble rings departs therefrom due to the effect of air during the flight of said bubble rings assembly, resulting in the formation of bubbles. The structure of the present invention is simple and novel in design, and various sizes of bubbles can be produced at different levels and locations in space. In addition, said rocket body and said bubble rings assembly can be used repeatedly.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of toy industry, and in particular to a bubble rocket apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Currently, there are various types of bubbles generators. In terms of prior bubble toys for the children, in most cases, it is a single or multiple bubble rings with the bubble solution blown or flirted in air. In this manner, different size bubbles can be formed based on the size of the bubble rings and the blowing strength. However, such manner is laborious and tedious, and the number of bubbles is limited. Additionally, some other bubble toys may be implemented by mechanical actuating mechanisms, but all of which generate bubbles statically or in a non-movement.

Therefore, there is a need for more interesting bubble machines which are easily used and have dynamic effects.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a novel bubble machine is provided with various sizes of bubbles generated toward the space in its movement. The bubble rocket machine has many advantages, for example, it is reusable and convenient in use, and it can save bubble solution and avoid contamination of environment due to the splash of the bubble solution.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a novel bubble machine is provided in that a bubble rings assembly having bubble solution is launched and creates various size of bubbles at different levels and locations during its fight. The structure design is simple and novel with the number and size of the bubbles controllable. It is interesting and amusing for entertainment, and also has good effect of bubble producing.

In accordance with further another aspect of the present invention, a novel bubble rocket machine is provided with a launch device and a rocket body having a bubble forming device, wherein said launch device is adapted for launching said rocket body. The bubble rings assembly having bubble solution goes up as the launch device launches the rocket body to form bubbles. In accordance with further another aspect of the present invention, a bubble rocket is provided, which comprises a rocket body with a bubble rings assembly.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a novel bubble rocket machine is provided with a rocket body, a launch device, a bubble rings assembly coupled to said rocket body, and a base, wherein bubble solution used for said bubble rings assembly is contained in said base, and said launch device is adapted for launching said bubble rings assembly. As the launch device launches the rocket body, the bubble film formed on the bubble rings departs therefrom during the flight of the bubble rings assembly, generating various bubbles at different locations in the space due to the effect of air.

In accordance with still further another aspect of the present invention, an improved bubble rocket machine is provided with a rocket body, a launch device, a bubble rings assembly, a base and a mechanism for adjusting the relative position between said bubble rings assembly and said bubble solution, wherein bubble solution used for said bubble rings assembly is contained in said base, the bubble rings assembly coupled to said rocket body and said launch device adapted for launching said bubble rings assembly, and wherein said adjusting mechanism includes a spring assembly. The spring assembly can include an upper bushing, a lower bushing, a spring and a hollow cylinder, and wherein the spring is held in said hollow cylinder by said upper bushing and said lower bushing, said upper bushing is in contact with said rocket body, and said hollow cylinder is secured in said base.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, said launch device can be a pneumatic mechanism comprising a first tube, a gas pump in connection with said first tube, and a second tube in airtight communication with said first tube, wherein one end of said second tube is pivotally connected to said base, and the other end of said second tube is provided with a gas exit.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, said air pump is a foot air pump.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of said rocket body is hollow, with its inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of said second tube so that said rocket body is movably disposed outside said second tube. The rocket body can be provided with at least one piece of soft foam and multiple wings.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, said bubble rings assembly comprises at least one layer of bubble rings including at least one group of bubble rings, wherein each group of bubble rings have various size. And at least one of surface of said bubble rings has a plurality of grooves.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, said rocket body and said bubble rings assembly can be detachably engaged with each other or integrally formed, wherein the material thereof includes PVC.

The structure of the present invention is simple and novel in design, and various size of bubbles can be effectively formed. Furthermore, the number and size of the bubbles is controllable with good bubble producing (bubble forming) and dynamic effect. In addition, by means of the launched rocket body rearranged onto the launch device, the bubble rocket of the invention can be used repeatedly for many times.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a bubble rocket without a mechanism for adjusting the relative position between the bubble rings assembly and the bubble solution, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an improved bubble rocket with a mechanism for adjusting the relative position between the bubble rings assembly and the bubble solution, according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an example of the launch device of the bubble rocket according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded view of an example of the rocket body of the bubble rocket according to one embodiment of the invention, with soft foam provided on the upper end and multiple wings on the lower end;

FIG. 5A is a schematic perspective view of an example of the bubble rings assembly according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5B is an enlarged stereogram of an example of one ring of the bubble rings assembly of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial view of the bubble rocket of FIG. 2 taken along line A-A′, illustrating the relation between the second tube of launch device and the rocket body;

FIG. 7A is a schematic view of the relative position between the bubble rings assembly and the bubble solution of the bubble rocket of FIG. 2, illustrating the condition of the rocket body unbiased; and

FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram of the relative position between the bubble rings assembly and the bubble solution of the bubble rocket of FIG. 2, illustrating the condition of the rocket body biased by a force F.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The principles and the technical solutions of the invention will be further described by referring to the accompanying drawings. The bubble rocket apparatus of the present invention comprises a rocket body with a bubble forming device, and a launch device adapted for launching said rocket body. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the bubble forming device may comprise a bubble rings assembly, and there are many ways in applying the bubble solution onto the bubble forming device, such as by manual or mechanical means. Said launch device comprise a pneumatic mechanism. The other actuating mechanisms can also be used, such as hydraulic pressure mechanism, compressed spring mechanism, or the like.

Now referring to the following figures, an embodiment of the bubble rocket apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail. The bubble rocket apparatus comprises a rocket body, a launch device, a bubble rings assembly and a base, wherein the bubble solution used for said bubble rings assembly is contained in said base, the rocket body is associated with bubble rings assembly, and the launch device is adapted for launching said rocket body.

In FIG. 1, a bubble rocket apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown, wherein the bubble rocket apparatus 10 includes a rocket body 200, a launch device (not shown in FIG. 1), a bubble rings assembly 400 and a base 500. A container 510 filled with bubble solution (not shown) is provided on the base 500. Said bubble rings assembly 400 is coupled to the lower end of the rocket body 200. Alternatively, the rocket body 200 and the bubble rings assembly 400 can be connected together at any desired position of the rocket body 200. Similar as shown in FIG. 7B, when the rocket body 200 is in place the bubble rings assembly 400 is immersed into the bubble solution. Additionally as shown in FIG. 1, the rocket body 200 is provided or attached with at least one piece of soft foam 100 on the upper end and multiple wings 600 on the lower end, which will be further described in FIG. 4. The rocket body, the bubble rings assembly and the relevant components may be made of flexible materials such as PVC or plastic, and they can be integrally formed or detachably connected, such as fittingly engaged due to the elasticity of the materials or threading match.

An embodiment of the launch device 300 of the bubble rocket 10 according to the Invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. The launch device 300 is a pneumatic mechanism, and the other actuating or driving mechanisms can also be used, such as hydraulic pressure mechanism, compressed spring mechanism, or the like. In this embodiment, the pneumatic mechanism 300 includes a first tube 330, an air pump 320 and a second tube 310. The air pump 320 can be a conventional foot air pump or other types of air pumps such as hand-pressed air pumps. The air pump 320 is connected to the first tube 330; the second tube 310 is in airtight communication with the first tube 330 by the hollow cavity 340 in the base. For example, bellows 370 is fitted in the hollow cavity 340 by means of frictional installation. A seal ring 360 and a gasket 350 are arranged on the upper portion of the bellows to realize the airtight communication between the first tube 330 and the second tube 310 in use. One end of the second tube 310 can be pivotally fixed on the base, and the other end thereof is provided with a gas nozzle or exit 315. These tubes can be rigid or flexible tubes. For example, the second tube 310 can be a rigid tube to provide a guide function for the initial flight of the rocket. When the bubble rocket is not in use, the second tube can be rotated to the horizontal position for facilitating package and transportation. In addition, the second tube 310 is not necessarily used. The launching function can be implemented as long as a gas exit is provided in the base 500 and the rocket body is placed onto the gas exit. Alternatively, the rocket body can be launched by hydraulic pressure actuating mechanism or compressed spring releasing mechanism.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the rocket body 200 of the bubble rocket apparatus 10 according to the present Invention, with at least one piece of soft foam 100 attached onto its upper end and multiple wings 600 configured on its lower end. In accordance with an embodiment of the Invention, at least a portion of the rocket body 200 is hollow, the housing of which may have a rippled outer structure so as to be grasped conveniently. The inner diameter of the rocket body 200 is larger than the outer diameter of the second tube 310 of FIG. 3 such that it can enclose or sheathe the second tube 310, namely coaxially disposed outside the second tube 310 substantially. Alternatively, the rocket body is solid and may act as the second tube. In this embodiment, the soft foam is a generally hollow cylinder and these wings are generally parabolic in shape, but the other conventional geometric profiles can also be included. The multiple wings 600 on the lower end of the rocket body 200 are used to balance the rocket body 200 during its flight, and the soft foam 100 on the upper end of the rocket body 200 functions as a cushion when the rocket body 200 falls down, thereby avoiding hurt to children or players. The typical connection/attachment positions between the rocket body 200 and the soft foam 100 and multiple wings 600 are illustrated above. Alternatively, the connection can be implemented in other positions or in any other suitable ways.

FIG. 5A is the schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the bubble rings assembly 400 of the bubble rocket apparatus 10 according to the Invention. The bubble rings assembly 400 includes bubble rings 410, a frame 430 used for connection with the rocket body 200, and joint parts 420 connecting the bubble rings 410 together. In FIG. 5A, the bubble rings assembly 400 includes, but not limited to, at least one layer of bubble rings 410, such as two layers. Said at least one layer of bubble rings 410 includes at least a group of bubble rings, and each group of bubble rings may have same or different sizes. These bubble rings may be arranged in a specific manner or pattern such as in one or more radial outwardly circles around the frame 430. FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of an example of one ring 410 of the bubble rings assembly 400 of FIG. 5A. As shown in FIG. 5B, at least one of surfaces of the bubble ring 410 includes a plurality of grooves 415 so that the rings 410 can be coated with the bubble solution better For example, the top surface and the inner wall of the bubble rings 410 are provided with a plurality of grooves. The spacing between the grooves 415 may be different. Different grooves such as deep or shallow grooves can be designed as desired to achieve good holding effect of the bubble film formed on the rings 410.

Referring back to FIG. 2, it is a schematic sectional view of a bubble rocket apparatus 20 according to another embodiment of the present Invention. The bubble rocket apparatus 20 of FIG. 2 further includes a mechanism for adjusting the relative position between the bubble rings assembly 400 and the bubble solution (not shown). In accordance with an embodiment of the Invention, the adjusting mechanism includes a spring assembly 700. The spring assembly includes an upper bushing 710, a lower bushing 730, a spring 720, and a hollow cylinder 740. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 7A-B, the upper bushing 710 and the lower bushing 730 holds the spring 720 in the hollow cylinder 740. The hollow cylinder 740 is secured in the container 510 in the base. The lower end of the rocket body 200 is in contact with the upper bushing 710 In this manner, the plane that the bubble rings 410 lies in is spaced from the solution surface 525 by a distance d when there is no force F applied on the rocket body 200, as shown in FIG. 7A; and when a force F is applied on the rocket body 200, the spring 720 is compressed so that the bubble rings assembly 400 descends and immerges in the bubble solution 520 for forming bubble film, as shown in FIG. 7B. When the force F is released, the bubble rings assembly 400 will return to its original position out of the solution surface 525 with bubble films formed and unnecessary fluid will drop back to the container 510. A mechanism for adjusting the relative position between the bubble rings assembly 400 and the bubble solution is illustrated above. The number and position setting of the springs can be adjusted as desired, e.g. one or more springs can be used. Additionally, those skilled in the art can use other adjusting mechanisms to adjust the relative position between the bubble rings assembly 400 and the bubble solution 520. Compared with the bubble rocket apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, the bubble rocket 20 of FIG. 2 further includes a mechanism for adjusting the relative position between the bubble rings assembly 400 and the bubble solution 520 to avoid a waste of the bubble solution and messy environment. The operation process and principle thereof are described in detail as followed.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial view of the bubble rocket of FIG. 2 taken along line A-A′, illustrating the relation between the second tube 310 and the rocket body 200. The inner wall of the rocket body 200 substantially encloses the second tube 310, as shown in FIG. 6. When the air or gas is ejected from the gas nozzle or exit 315 of the second tube 310, the rocket body 200 is launched together with the bubble rings assembly.

FIG. 7A shows the relative position between the bubble rings assembly 400 and the solution surface 525 of the bubble solution 520 of the bubble rocket of FIG. 2, illustrating the condition of the rocket body 200 unbiased. As shown in FIG. 7A, the bubble rings 410 in the bubble rings assembly 400 are spaced above from the solution surface 525 by a distance d when there is no force F applied on the rocket body 200.

FIG. 7B shows the relative position between the bubble rings assembly 400 and the solution surface 525 of the bubble solution 520 of the bubble rocket of FIG. 2, illustrating the condition of the rocket body 200 biased by a force F. As shown in FIG. 7B, when the force F is applied on the rocket body 200, the spring 720 is compressed so that the bubble rings assembly 400 immerges in the bubble solution 520 to form bubble film thereon.

The concrete structures of the bubble rocket apparatus according to the present invention have been described above. Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, and 7B, the operation process of the bubble rocket apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as follows. Firstly, the rocket body 200 and the bubble rings assembly 400 are connected together, such as integrally formed or detachably engaged, the samples of which include a tight engagement by their elasticity or a threading connection. Secondly, the second tube 310 of the launch device 300 is placed on a substantially vertical position, and then the rocket body 200 is placed in position sheathing the second tube 310. At this point, similar as shown in FIG. 7B, the bubble rings assembly 400 is dipped into the bubble solution 520 such that the bubble solution 520 can be applied onto the bubble rings 410 to form bubble film. Subsequently, the foot air pump 320 is actuated to pump the air through the first tube 330 to the top of the second tube 310, namely the gas exit 315, thereby accomplishing the launch of the rocket body 200 disposed on and surrounding the second tube 310. Upon the rocket body 200 launched, the bubble rings assembly 400 departs from the solution surface 525 of the bubble solution 520 and goes up. Therefore, the bubble film formed on the bubble rings 410 departs therefrom due to the effect of air during the flight of the bubble assembly 400, and form bubbles at different levels and locations in the space.

Further refer to FIGS. 2-7B, the operation process of an improved bubble rocket 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as follows. Firstly, the rocket body 200 and the bubble rings assembly 400 are connected, for example, by fitting engagement or other detachable connection ways, or integral formation. Secondly, the second tube 310 of the launch device 300 is placed on a substantially vertical position, and then the rocket body 200 is disposed in position surrounding the second tube 310. At this point, as shown in FIG. 7A, the bubble rings 410 of said bubble rings assembly 400 is located over the solution surface 525 of the bubble solution 520 by a distance d. And then, a force F can be applied to the rocket body 200 to dip said bubble rings assembly 400 into the bubble solution 520 so that the bubble rings 410 is coated with the bubble solution 520, as shown in FIG. 7B. The force F is subsequently released so that the bubble rings assembly 400 returns to the initial position, namely located over the solution surface 525 of the bubble solution 500 by a distance d, as shown in FIG. 7A, and such state may be maintained for a short period of time so that the bubble film can be formed on the bubble rings 410 and the redundant bubble solution on the bubble rings 410 drops back into the container 510 of the base. The foot air pump 320 is then actuated to pump the air through the first tube 330 to the top of the second tube 310, namely the gas exit 315, thereby accomplishing the launch of the rocket body 200 disposed on and outside the second tube 310. Upon the rocket body 200 launched, the bubble rings assembly 400 goes up along with the rocket body 200. Consequently, the bubble film formed on the bubble rings 410 departs therefrom due to the effect of air during the flight of the bubble rings assembly 400, thereby generating bubbles at different locations in the space. In this manner, a waste of the bubble solution is avoided, and the bubble rings assembly 400 does not carry excessive bubble solution away to avoid mess of environment and components.

Depending on the size of the bubble rings and flight speed of the bubble rocket, the bubble film formed thereon departs at different heights in space to form different size bubbles, thereby filling almost entire space. Additionally, the launched rocket body can be picked up and re-disposed on the launch device, enabling bubble formation to be simplified and repeated for many times. The rocket body, the bubble rings assembly and the relevant components can be made of durable or unbreakable materials such as PVC or other suitable materials, to increase the life time of the bubble machine.

In accordance with the drawings, some embodiments of the bubble rocket apparatus of the invention are exemplary illustrated above. But the connection position between the rocket body and the bubble rings assembly, as well as the attachment position between the rocket body and the soft foam and the wings, can be changed. Meanwhile, it is appreciated to those skilled in the art that various technical features of the above-described invention can be combined, such as the bubble rocket of the invention may not include the container. The whole process of applying the bubble solution onto the bubble rings has been described in the above embodiments, but it should be understood for those skilled in the art that it is not limited to the above manners to coat the bubble rings assembly with the bubble solution, for example, the bubble solution can be applied onto the bubble rings assembly by hand or other mechanical means. And then, the bubble rings assembly with the bubble solution can be launched to produce bubbles.

Although the present invention has been described according to the above embodiments with reference to the drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various alterations and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. 

1. A bubble rocket apparatus comprising: a rocket body, a launch device, adapted for launching said rocket body a bubble rings assembly coupled to said rocket body, and a base, in which bubble solution is contained.
 2. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said launch device can be a pneumatic mechanism.
 3. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pneumatic mechanism comprises a first tube, a gas pump in connection with said first tube and a second tube in airtight communication with said first tube, and wherein one end of said second tube is pivotally connected to said base with a gas nozzle on its other end, and wherein said air pump can be a foot air pump.
 4. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at least a portion of said rocket body is hollow, with its inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of said second tube so that said rocket body is movably disposed outside said second tube.
 5. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said rocket body includes at least one piece of soft foam.
 6. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said rocket body is further provided with multiple wings.
 7. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 1, further comprises a mechanism for adjusting the relative position between said bubble rings assembly and said bubble solution.
 8. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the adjusting mechanism includes a spring assembly.
 9. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said bubble rings assembly comprises at least one layer of bubble rings.
 10. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said at least one layer of bubble rings includes at least one group of bubble rings, each group having same or different sizes.
 11. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 10, wherein at least one of surfaces of said bubble rings has a plurality of grooves.
 12. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said rocket body and said bubble rings assembly can be fittingly engaged each other or integrally formed.
 13. A bubble rocket apparatus comprising: a rocket body with a bubble forming device; and a launch device, adapted for launching said rocket body.
 14. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said bubble forming device includes a bubble rings assembly attached to said rocket body.
 15. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said launch device can be a pneumatic mechanism.
 16. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said pneumatic mechanism comprises a first tube, a gas pump in connection with said first tube and a second tube in airtight communication with said first tube, and wherein one end of said second tube is pivotally connected to said base with a gas nozzle on its other end, and wherein said air pump can be a foot air pump.
 17. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said first and second tubes are communicated by a bellows having a seal ring, said bellows arranged within a cavity in said base.
 18. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 17, wherein at least a portion of said rocket body is hollow, with its inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of said second tube so that said rocket body is movably disposed outside said second tube.
 19. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said bubble rings assembly comprises at least one layer of bubble rings.
 20. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said at least one layer of bubble rings includes at least one group of bubble rings, each group having same or different sizes.
 21. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 20, wherein at least one of surfaces of said bubble rings has a plurality of grooves.
 22. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claims 20, wherein said bubble rings assembly and said rocket body is detachably engaged with each other or integrally formed.
 23. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claims 14, further comprises a container for holding bubble solution.
 24. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claims 23, further comprises a mechanism for adjusting the relative position between said bubble rings assembly and said bubble solution.
 25. The bubble rocket apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the adjusting mechanism includes a spring assembly.
 26. A bubble rocket, comprising a rocket body with a bubble rings assembly. 